Chinese EV giant BYD confirms F1 talks as it hopes to become the 12th team on the grid in the near future. Executive vice president of the Far Eastern carmaker, Stella Li, revealed this week that direct meetings with the sport’s chief executive, Stefano Domenicali, took place in Shanghai.
“We’ve been in close contact,” Li told Sport Mediaset. “We like Formula 1 because it’s about passion, culture and everyone aspires to be in F1. Yes, it’s something we’re discussing and there is a technical appeal. It’s a real opportunity to test our technology at the highest level,” confirmed Li.
BYD CONFIRMS F1 TALKS AS 12TH TEAM
As BYD confirms F1 talks, there is growing speculation on the multiple entry routes for the firm into the sport. Under consideration for the Chinese EV giant is launching as an all-new constructor. Or acquiring/aligning with an existing outfit such as Alpine or Racing Bulls. A third option is entering as a power unit supplier only under the sport’s newly changed regulations.
For those who don’t know BYD, it currently sits at the absolute pinnacle of the global EV industry. In 2025, it was the world’s number one EV maker, selling 2.2-million EVs globally, capturing approximately 18% of the global market. And financially, the company is a colossus. BYD’s total revenue reached $111 billion last year, ranking it 91st in the 2025 Fortune Global 500, its first entry into the top 100.
F1 OR BUST FOR CHINA?
Therefore, as BYD confirms F1 talks, is now the time for the world to feel the full force of China’s EV prowess in motorsport? A full Formula 1 entry will arguably represent the sport’s most significant commercial adaptation in years. And BYD’s public acknowledgement of discussions is likely to accelerate talks even further as the sport returns to racing after a disrupted start to 2026.
But what do you think as BYD confirms F1 talks? Would a 12th team be good to see on the grid? Or will another team merely water-down the racing like back-markers Cadillac and Aston Martin? Share your thoughts in the comments section below …
